Toboggan benefit slated for USA Luge

Mayors Cup, public challenge on tap

January 26, 2012

LAKE PLACID - With speeds of over 35 miles per hour, sledders will race down the frozen Toboggan Chute located on Parkside Drive at the town beach in an effort to claim glory and prizes in the third annual Adirondack International Toboggan Championships on Saturday, Jan. 28.

"I hope people will expect a lot of good fun and speed," said Dmitry Feld, organizer of the event.

Sponsored by ROCK105 and Saranac and Lake Placid Craft Brewing, the toboggan championships will feature two different competitions, the first one being the Mayor's Cup, which starts at 4 p.m. and will feature local mayors, supervisors and other elected officials competing in teams of four vying for the Jeff and Janine Abbott Memorial Mayor's Cup Award.

Article Photos

Richard Rosentreter/Lake Placid News file photoSledders glide down a tobbogan last year at the chute located along Mirror Lake in Lake Placid.

The teams will each take two runs down the chute and whosoever toboggan glides the farthest across the frozen surface of Mirror Lake will win.

Following the Mayor's Cup at 4:30 p.m. the general public will get a chance to compete, also in teams of four, for the Gerald Cassidy Memorial Toboggan Trophy, dedicated to the man who led the effort to build the chute in the 1960s. Other prizes will be awarded to the public such as cash, hotel rooms and Whiteface ski passes. A gift basket will be given to the team with the fastest speed off the chute.

"The heavier you are, the faster you're going to go," said Joey Maurer, an intern for the marketing sponsorship department.

Fact Box

In case of inclement weather, the competition will take place at the USA Luge indoor start ramps located at 57 Church St., Lake Placid.

Entry fees are $10 per person or $40 per sled, with sleds being provided at the event. Registration for the event starts at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

For more information about the event visit, www.adktobogganchampionship.com/.

When asked for any other tips, Maurer joking said: "Not that we're going to give you any because we're competing, too."

All funds raised by the event will go to USA Luge. Last year the event raised $7,000 for the association despite the event having to be postponed twice due to rain before being relocated to the start house at the USA Luge's office.

"We're hoping this year the weather will be good, so people can go down on the lake," Feld said.

In case of inclement weather, the competition will take place at the USA Luge indoor start ramps located at 57 Church St., Lake Placid.

Entry fees are $10 per person or $40 per sled, with sleds being provided at the event. Registration for the event starts at 3 p.m. on Saturday.